# How "real" is Aspergers **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 18, 2011, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058 "2011-10-18T18:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![PhiloVance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/e19adc/32.png) [@PhiloVance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PhiloVance)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/41 "2011-10-19T19:21:49Z")
One of my grandson’s is autistic and another has Aspergers. The autistic one, who was diagnosed at about 4, is low functioning but is able to learn. He has learned his times tables, abc’s, how to read simple books, tie his shoes, dress himself, etc. He does not communicate on his own, he has to be asked questions to find out anything. He is 14. He may never change much but he is able to learn some simple things. He is very cooperative and hates to offend anyone, so he is not a problem child in the classroom or at home. He is in a developmentally disabled class. The grandson with Aspergers is 11, and was diagnosed when he was 7. He is in a regular middle school and recently told his mother that he is smarter than all his teachers. He is a good student and is actually very intelligent. He is funny and articulate. Yes, he can remain focused on one thing to the exclusion of anything else, but lately his interests are diversifying. I see him as slowing moving out of Aspergers but he did have it a few years ago and still has some aspects of it. ---
**Author:** ![Stormcrow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/0ea827/32.png) [@Stormcrow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stormcrow)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/42 "2011-10-19T19:49:22Z")
> [@njtt](#): > > Who says social ineptness isn’t a symptom of disease? Nobody _wants_ to be socially inept. And I’d like to be taller. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/43 "2011-10-19T20:01:47Z")
> [@Stormcrow](#): > > And I’d like to be taller. Are you saying that being short is a disease? Or are you saying that being short is NOT a disease? The above was only rhetorical, and intended to illustrate my confusion about the concept of a “disease”. I’d like to suggest that the word “disease” conveys the idea that not only is something real and diagnosable, but that it is something one might possibly be cured of. (Whether the cure has been discovered yet is irrelevant.) I’d like to consider Asperger’s as something similar to the mutants in X-Men. It is certainly a _condition_, but I hesitate to call it a _disease_. Personally, although I would love to lose my social ineptness, if the price was to also lose my analytical way of thinking, I’d **NEVER** do it. ---
**Author:** ![Bosstone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/22d042/32.png) [@Bosstone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosstone)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/44 "2011-10-19T20:03:25Z")
> [@Stormcrow](#): > > And I’d like to be taller. The difference is that an inability to interact normally with others is an impediment to self-sufficiency. Being 5’8" isn’t. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bcef8e/32.png) [@The\_Man\_In\_Black](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Man_In_Black)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/45 "2011-10-19T21:30:51Z")
> [@mlees](#): > > I’m a 26. Woo-hoo! USA! USA! > > Just anti-social? I got 27 ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/46 "2011-10-19T21:55:19Z")
Huh, I scored an 8. Cool. ---
**Author:** ![CurtC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ce73a5/32.png) [@CurtC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CurtC)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/47 "2011-10-19T22:02:20Z")
> [@CheeseDonkey](#): > > That sometimes leads me to believe that it is a means for socially inept people to excuse their social ineptness, rather than an actual ailment. It doesn’t seem to me to be an “ailment” - that sounds like a disease. It’s just descriptive. My take on Asperger’s is that there is a lot of personality variation within humans. We’ve noticed that some personality characteristics seem to go together frequently. In this case, discomfort in social situations, intolerance of change, and focusing on single subjects of interest, all appear commonly together in people. And since the characteristics go together, let’s give it a name - we’ll call it “Asperger’s.” There are some good outcomes, and some bad outcomes, from those characteristics. In total, there’s more bad than good from them, especially as it relates to social interactions. Given all that, it doesn’t seem to fit to call this collection of characteristics an “ailment.” By the way, I’m 50 years old and only recently (last couple of months) realized that the term Asperger’s would fit me. I just took the test on the Wired site and scored a 32. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/48 "2011-10-19T22:59:12Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > If I may hijack: > > 1. Is there anything physically on the brains or major nerves of Asperger’s folks (or indeed, autistic folks) that can be identified as forensic evidence of having one of the conditions? IOW, can an extremely careful biopsy or autopsy determine whether or not someone suffers/suffered from Asperger’s or autism? This is outside my area, but there is evidence that the pattern of brain activity and some physical characteristics of the brain itself are different in people with autism spectrum disorders than in neurotypical people. As far as I know all of this research involves MRI brain scans on living people, not autopsies. Here are a couple of news articles I pulled up with a quick Google: New York Daily News - [Autism breakthrough? MRI tests shown to be highly accurate at diagnosing disorder in new study](http://articles.nydailynews.com/2010-12-02/entertainment/27083007_1_autism-researchers-brain-scans-high-functioning) The Guardian - [Children with autism have distinctive patterns of brain activity](http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2010/nov/15/children-autism-patterns-brain-activity) > [@](#): > > 1. Is it thought that there are absolutely physical signs of Asperger’s/autism that could conceivably be identified, but the science is not yet advanced enough to know what to look for? It’s my understanding that it has long been believed that there is a genetic component to autism spectrum disorders, but that only Rett’s syndrome has a known genetic cause. Other genetic factors may be identified in the future. ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2011, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/49 "2011-10-19T23:26:58Z")
The condition is real, but some caution should be used for anyone self-diagnosing. “Although the test is popularly used for self-diagnosis of Asperger syndrome,[5] the authors caution that it is not intended to be diagnostic, and advise that anyone who obtains a high score and is suffering some distress should seek professional medical advice before jumping to any conclusions.” Its not the case that ‘excuse’ is the only alternative, misdiagnosis is an obvious alternative possibility which is why professional involvement can be important. Otara ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 12:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/50 "2011-10-20T00:27:10Z")
I wouldn’t call Asperger’s a disease per se, more like a disorder. And only in the context of our society and what we expect as typical behavior. Although, some of the more pronounced things my daughter (who was diagnosed at the age of 11 but is now 13) simply cannot cope with, or even comprehend is very non-typical in any context. We knew something wasn’t quite “right” by the age of 4, but it didn’t really become a huge problem when she couldn’t cope with the kids in middle school. The look of terror on her face and the kicking, screaming and scratching as my wife and I along with her counselor and principal tried to get her to go to just one class was like nothing we’ve ever experienced before. It was just too overwhelming, and we had to pull her out and homeschool her. However, she’s wicked smart, and is taking some college level English and Biology. She was also diagnosed with something called Hyperlexia, which is why her language, writing and reading is so strong. ---
**Author:** ![jabiru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/bbce88/32.png) [@jabiru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabiru)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/51 "2011-10-20T00:43:35Z")
Hmmmm. 29. I wonder what I should read into that, if anything. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/52 "2011-10-20T03:04:09Z")
Asperger’s is one of those things that I would not trust an adult to diagnose themselves with. There are so many ways to explain neuropsychiatric symptoms, and most of them do not require a person to exhibit them in childhood. This is a non-trivial requirement for an AS diagnosis. I don’t trust myself to remember my own childhood idiosyncracies accurately, so it’s kind of hard for me to trust someone else to do so about theirs. That said, AS is as real as any other neurobiological disorder. It’s co-morbidity and familial coincidence with other neurological disorders, such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia (neither of which anyone would ever accuse of being “made-up” conditions), strongly suggest that it is a real thing. They even exhibit more motor abnormalities than people with classical autism. ---
**Author:** ![Lemur866](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lemur866/32/434_2.png) [@Lemur866](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lemur866)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/53 "2011-10-20T03:31:30Z")
I scored a 32 on that test, which means it’s fucked up and bullshit. I don’t like social interactions, sure, but that’s because I’m shy and self-conscious, not because I can’t understand the strange hu-mon customs. It’s the exact opposite–I care too much about what other people are thinking, when in reality I know they don’t give a shit. ---
**Author:** ![KariJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@KariJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KariJay)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/54 "2011-10-20T03:47:26Z")
Yes, aspergers is very real and can be diagnosed by a doctor (and should). You can’t really take a self-diagnosis seriously. It’s most commonly associated with an inability to take social cues. In one of my college classes we had a kid with this that literally booed during another student’s class presentation. In his mind, it was okay. He would also get very anxious when people would laugh and often thought people were laughing at or about him. Felt bad for the kid, but he was a genius! ---
**Author:** ![Aspidistra](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aspidistra/32/3894_2.png) [@Aspidistra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aspidistra)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 10:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/55 "2011-10-20T10:05:53Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Aspergers is real, but I hate it when it is classified as “a form of Autism”. Although _some_ symptoms overlap, it really is nothing like autism. My 8yo is on the Autistic Spectrum. He is fairly high functioning and is mainstreamed at school. But I would KILL for him to only have Aspergers. You won’t be a fan of the changes in the DSM V then? Where they’re going to delete Aspergers altogether and simply roll it up into the Autism spectrum of diagnoses? I’m not a fan myself - it’s already a problem in Autism Spectrum disorders that it covers an enormous range of behaviour - the nonverbal kid who hides in corners and won’t look a stranger in the eye along with the kid who will rock up to any passing stranger and talk loudly and insistently about safety pins for half an hour, kids who sit still staring at a spinning top all morning along with kids who spend all that time repeatedly bouncing off one wall after another and finding higher and higher things to jump off… I have a kid with classic Autism too, and I far prefer his mix of imparements and relative strengths to what I have heard of Aspergers - not least because his problems with communication make it fairly clear to those around him that he does have some sort of issue, whereas someone who’s speaking normally but socially “wierd” can get people expecting them to “act normal, there’s nothing wrong with you”. But YYMV (and with ASD, it generally does, quite a bit!) ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 12:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/56 "2011-10-20T12:23:39Z")
> [@Aspidistra](#): > > I have a kid with classic Autism too, and I far prefer his mix of imparements and relative strengths to what I have heard of Aspergers - not least because his problems with communication make it fairly clear to those around him that he does have some sort of issue, whereas someone who’s speaking normally but socially “wierd” can get people expecting them to “act normal, there’s nothing wrong with you”. But YYMV (and with ASD, it generally does, quite a bit!) My biggest problem is that I cannot have a conversation with my 8yo. I can have a _kind of_ conversation but it is usually about 2 sentences deep and concerns very practical things. It is painful to see people talking with their kids. My kid, yours and Aspies all are going to have social problems in life. But AFAIU, Aspies can mask theirs by consciously imitating “normal” behavior when needed. ---
**Author:** ![md2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/73ab20/32.png) [@md2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/md2000)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/57 "2011-10-20T13:19:02Z")
I suspect there are degrees of Aspergers. I function better than my brother, but neither of us as good as my father. However, none of us have what you would call a social life, interacting with others outside of work connections. I have seen a few other cases that are fairly obviously the same, and they all seem to fit in the pattern you see with Isaac Asimov, and mentioned in the Wired article as the “Silicon Valley phenomenon” - fairly smart parent(s), the girls are more likely to be high achievers and the sons to have Aspergers. As a previous post said, thank God for computer professions. My wife once complained about a co-worker with similar problems that he would face about 45 degrees away while talking to her. She said “at least you look me in the eyes” and I had to correct her. No, I look at people’s mouths and always have, because that’s what’s moving and making noise. That’s enough to fool most people, which is the story of my life - I’ve learned to fake it just enough to get by, but I don’t seek out social interaction. (I tried looking people in the eyes for a while, but I found it **extremely** uncomfortable. Very much so.) Another article about women with Aspergers I read once, suggested the difference was that men are more likely to have the extreme fixation on a specific topic, while women will display only the other symptoms; so are more likely to be labelled shy, socially awkward, late bloomers, etc. They won’t be the ones going on and on about safety pins or train schedules. ---
**Author:** ![studmuffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/439d5e/32.png) [@studmuffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/studmuffin)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/58 "2011-10-20T16:07:00Z")
> [@](#): > > No significant language delays > A lack of eye to eye contact > Unusual body posture or social expressions > Difficulty making friends > A preoccupation with one subject > No interest in interactive play > An inflexible attitude toward change So, to include a ficticious but believable character, could we conclude that, apart from maybe the last 4 symptoms, Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory doesn’t have Aspergers ? ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/59 "2011-10-20T16:42:40Z")
> [@studmuffin](#): > > So, to include a ficticious but believable character, could we conclude that, apart from maybe the last 4 symptoms, Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory doesn’t have Aspergers ? The writers deny it, but I still think they took the clinical description of Aspergers and had it guide them as they created Sheldon. > **[Sheldon Cooper](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sheldon_Cooper#Asperger_syndrome)** > > Sheldon Lee Cooper, B.S., M.S., M.A., Ph.D., Sc.D., is a fictional character and one of the protagonists in the 2007–2019 CBS television series The Big Bang Theory and its 2017–2024 spinoff series Young Sheldon, portrayed by actors Jim Parsons and Iain Armitage respectively (with Parsons as the latter series' narrator). For his portrayal, Parsons won four Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, a TCA Award, and two Critics' Choice Television Awards. The character's childhood is t The adul... And no, I don’t think Sheldon is “believable”. Very funny, but you have to suspend disbelief with a lot of aspects of Sheldon. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058/60 "2011-10-20T16:43:36Z")
I always score as having Asperger’s on those online tests. A close childhood friend has Asperger’s; while I’ve had my social issues we are nothing alike, and her problems go so far beyond ‘social awkwardness’. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-real-is-aspergers/600058.md?page=4)